Control valve unit for welding apparatus



Feb. 24, 1948. l H. T. PLATZ 2,435,760

` CONTROL VALVE UNIT FOR WELDING APPARATUS l original Filed Aug. 1o, 1956 4sneets-sheet-1 UML-- INVENTOR HENRY T. PLATZ ,4 TTORNEYS 1W MM Feb. 24, l948. H. T. PLA-rz 2,436,760

v CONTROL VALVE UNIT FOR WELDING APPARATUS i Original Filed Aug. l0, 195,6 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5s 5l s 52 54v 55 www INVENTOR HENRY T. PLATZ ATTORNEYS,-`

Feb.'24,194zs. f ,H.`T PLATZ 2,436,760

CONTROL VALVE UNIT FOR WELDING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 10, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 lll/M VENTO/P HENRY. T. PLATZ BY Mmm WM Feb. 24, 1948.

T. PLATZ CONTROL VALVE UNITV FOR WELDING vAPPARATUS original Filed Aug. 1o, l 193e 4 sheets-sheet 4 f/NVENTOR HENRY T. PLATZ l A TTORNEYS Patented Feb. 24, 1948 CONTROL VALVE UNIT FOR WELDING APPARATUS Henry T. Platz, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Briggs Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Qrignal application August 10, 1936, Serial No. 95,244, now 'PatentNm 2,372,850, dated April 3,

1944, Serial No. 529,309

-6 Claims. 1

This application is a division of application Serial No. 95,244, led August lfO, 1936, now Patent No. 2,372,850, April V3, v1945.

This invention relates generally to control valves and refers more particularly to improvements in control valves for use in controlling re.-

peat welders. .Y

One lof the principal objects of this invention is to provide a control valve unit vhaa/'ing means for automatically controlling the operation 'of the welding device tofenable an operator to complete a series of welds in a relatively short time `with the minimum effort and attention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control valve unit effective upon rmanipulation of a manually operable element to automatically and successively start a weld, discontinue said weld aftera predetermined interval of time elapses, and to start another weld rin timed relation to discontinuing Athe weld aforesaid.

In accordance with this invention, the control valve responds to manipulation of the manually operable element to successively eifect the following operation-s; relative movement of the electrodes into engagement with the work; operation of a switch to close the welding circuit to the electrodes after the latter are in eng-agement with the work; operation of the switch toopen the circuit to the electrodes Vafter a predetermined interval of time elapses, and thereafter 'permitting relative movement of the electrodes away from each other to disengage the same from the work.

from the work, the control unit starts another weld by ysuccessively repeating the foregoing operations,

and this continues so long as the control element is retained in its operative position.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means for varying the duration of the weld and for varying the elapsed time between the successive wel'd's.

A further object of this invention consists in the provisionA of a control valve unit embodying means for varying the time of closing of the circuit to the electrodes with respect to relative movement of the latter into engagement with the work, and also having means for varying the interval of operation oi the switch to Aopen the circuit to the electrodes. Y

The foregoing, as well as other objects, will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially `when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section Divided and this application April 3,

of a control unit constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a welding device having certain parts broken away for the sake of clearness;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View through the control unit;

Figures 3A, 4, 5, 6, '7, 8, 9 and 10 are, respectively, sectional views taken substantially on the planes indicated by the lines SA-SA, 4 4, 5 5, 6 6,

1 1, 8-8, 8 9 and lll-l0 of Figure l;

Figm'e's 11 and 12 are diagrammatic views showing the parts of the weldingl equipment in various different positions.

A general description of one type of welding equipment capable of being controlled by the valve unit forming the subject matter of this invention may assist in understanding the operation of the valve unit and, with this in mind, attention is directed 'to the Adiagrammatic views illustrated in Figures 1l and 12. Referring rst to Figure 11, it will be noted that the welding device A is of the gun type having an electrode B movable toward a xed electrode C under the action of iiuid pressure against a piston D reciprocab'ly mounted inthe cylinder E communicating with a fluid supply line F through the medium of a control unit G. Fluid under pressure is admitted to 'the control unit G through the medium of a valve H carried by Athe gun unit and operated by a manually actuated trigger I. Movement of the trigger I in a direction toward the grip'of the gun unit Aopens the valve H, and admits fluid under pressure to a passage J having the delivery end communicating with the longitudinally extending passage K intermediate the ends of the latter. The passage K is provided with metering valves L and L' at opposite ends thereof communicating respectively with Valve chambers M and M disposed at opposite ends of the plunger chamber N. As will be more fully hereinafter set forth, a pair of aligned plungers S and S' are slidably supported in the chamber N between the valve chambers M and M. The adjacent ends of the plungers are connected together and are yieldably held in either of the two positions shown in Figures 11 `and 12 by a spring C'.

In the position kof the parts shown in Figure 11, fluid under pressure from the passage K is prevented from iiowing into the chamber M by a piston valve O', with the result that all of the fluid under pressure is required to flow in the direction of the arrows in Figure 11. As shown in this latter figure, the piston valve O in the chamber M is in a position to permit metered flow of uid pressure into the chamber M at the inner side of the piston O, into an accumulating chamber P through a passage Q. As will be more fully hereinafter set forth, the accumulating chamber P communicates with the outer end of the chamber M through a passage R in order to valve piston O. When the parts are in the relative positions shown in Figure l1, the annular leading from the supply passage K, to the top of the cylinder E. The supply line T communicates with the passage K in advance lof the metering valve L and also communicates with the cylinder E in the gun device through an annular chamber formed by reducing the plunger S intermediate the ends thereof. As the pressure of the fluid builds up in the cylinder vli! at the top of the piston D, the latter is moved downwardly and effects a displacement of the electrode B toward the electrode C to clamp the work to be welded therebetween. At the same time, fluid under pressure is admitted from the supply line T to a longitudinally extending passage V, communicating with a switch W and a pressure accumulating chamber X. The fluid pressure admitted to the switch W from the passage V serves to close an electric circuit to the electrodes in timed relation to relative movement of the latter into engagement with the Work, and this interval is controlled by a metering valve Y located in the uid supply line to regulate the now of uid under pressure from the passage V to the switch chamber. The accumulating chamber X communicates with the opposite side of the switch, and the fluid pressure in this chamber serves to automatically open the switch W after a predetermined interval of operation of the welding device. The length of the Weld is controlled by regulating the rate'of pressure rise in the accumulating chamber X through th medium of a metering valve Z.v

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be noted that when the control unit is in the position thereof shown in Figure 11, the electrodes are relatively moved into clamping engagement with the work to be welded, and the welding circuit is automatically closed by fluid pressure, through the medium of the switch W. The metering valve Y is carefully adjusted so as to insure engagement of the electrodes with the work before the circuit to the electrodes is closed by the switch W. Also, the metering Valve Z is adjusted to assure opening of the switch after the specified welding time has elapsed and before the electrodes are relatively moved out of engagement with the work.

After the weld has been completed or, in other words, after the switch W is automatically operated to open the circuit to the electrodes, the latter are relatively moved in directions away from each other to release the work, and this operation is eifected in dependence upon exhausting the fluid pressure from the cylinder E in the welding device. Referring again to Figure 1l, it will be noted that the longitudinal passage V cornmunicates with an exhaust opening A through the medium of the control plunger S. haust opening A' is closed during the operation of the welding apparatus to effect the weld by means of the plunger S so that before the welding device can Vbe exhausted, the plungers must be moved to the position thereof shown in Figure 12. The interval the plungers are moved from the position thereof illustrated in Figure 11 to the one shown in Figure l2, is controlled by The ex-V 4 regulating the rate of -pressure rise in the chamber M at the right-hand end of the plunger S by the metering valve L. As soon as the pressure of the fluid acting upon the outer end of the plunger S becomes sufficient to overcome the action of the spring C the plungers S and S are moved to the Y' position thereof shown in Figure 12, wherein the build up a pressure against the outer side of the Y Y p groove U in the plunger S connects the passage T;

exhaust opening A communicates with the pas-v sage V through the medium of the groove U in the plunger S', and the iiuid pressure flows in the direction of the arrows indicated in Figure l2. Attention is called to the fact, that as the plunger S is moved from the position shown in Figure 1l to the one illustrated in Figure 12, the rear end portion thereof uncovers the exhaust port B communicating with the plunger chamber N. As the exhaust port B' is uncovered, a drop in pressure takes place in the chamber M and in the accumulator chamber P. However, due to the restricted nature of the port Q, the drop in pressure in the accumulator chamber P is delayed until the valve piston O is moved by the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber P to the position shown in Figure 12, wherein communication between the passage K and chamber M is closed by the valve piston O. Of course, when the plunger S is in the position shown in Figure 12, communication through the supply line T is closed and, if the valve H is retained in its open position, iiuid Ypressure is conducted through the metering valve L to the chamber M' at the outer side of the plunger S. This communication is established when the plunger S' is moved to the left sufficiently to effect a movement of the valve piston O' to its extreme outermost position shown in Figure 12. With the parts of the control unit G in the above position, fluid under pressure is being built-up at the outer side of the plunger S at a rate dependent upon the adjustment of the metering valve L and, at the same time, the welding apparatus including the welding device A, accumulating chamber X and switch W, are exhausted through the opening A'.

When the pressure in the accumulating charnber P' becomes sufficient to overcome the action of the spring C', the welding operation is repeated by the return of the plungers to the position thereof shown in Figure 11. Upon return of the plungers, the accumulating chamber P exhausts through the ports B", and the valve piston O' again closes communication between the passage K and the valve chamber M. Also the plunger S closes the exhaust A', and this cycle of operation is repeated as long as the operator retains the valve H, at the welding device, in its open position. In the event that the operator should effect a closing of the valve H when a cylinder E is charged, the system will exhaust back through the outlet passage D' formed in the casting of the gun unit.

Referring now more in detail to the specific construction of the several parts of the welding equipment, selected herein for the purpose of illustration, it will be noted that the gun unit A is entirely independent of the control unit G, and this is desirable in that it reduces the weight of the gun unit to the minimum. Upon reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that the gun unit is of simple construction having a frame 2U fashioned to provide the cylinder E, and formed with a passage 2| communicating at one end with the cylinder E at the rear side of the piston D reciprocably mounted in the cylinder. The opposite end of the passage 2l communicates with the supply line T through the medium of a. ilexl'ble conduit 22. In addition., 'the .fname 30 is formed Awith a `valve chamber 23 communicating at one end with the passage J through the medium foi the flexible conduit 24, and 'oommunicating intermediate the ends with a passage 25 extending through the grip -2'6 of the gun unit for communication with the fluid supply liner. The flow of fluid pressure from 'the 1supply line through the chamber 23 to :the'condut 124 is `controlled by a piston valve -2'1 :reeiprocably .mounted in the -chamber 23 and having an annular groove i-n the periphery thereof registrable with .the vpassage .25 in the yfmtermosi; posit-ion lof the valve piston 27|. The annular groove communicates with an :axially extending passage '28 lthrough the valve piston for communication with the conduit .24., and the piston is normal-ly urged in an vinward ydirection to close the passage 25 by means foi' a spring 29 acting upon the outer end of the piston. .In the present instance, the valve piston 21 is held in its outermost position, where communication .is established between the supply line and control Yunit 1G., by means of the trigger I pivotally supported on the frame 20 :in the trigger guard 3|. Attention may be calied to Vtheia'ci; at this-time that when the trigger is released, the spring -2.9 locates the valve piston 21 in a position wherein the annular groove in the .periphery thereof v.cormminicates with the exhaust passage D in the trame 20 to connect this passage with the `contrai unit through the conduit,

vAs stated above., the piston D is -reoiprocaibly mounted in the cylinder E, and it will be noted from Figure 2 that the piston carries the electrode B for moving the latter toward the electrede C. The electrode AC is secured to a fixture 32, 'and the .latter .in turn is secured to the .frame 2'0 Ain any suitable manner. In the present instance, the electrode B is moved in a vdirection away from the electrode C by the springs v33 acting upon the front side of the piston Vto resist movement of the latter by the iiuid pressure in the cylinder E. It follows, therefore, that when the cylinder E is exhausted, the springs 33 act upon the piston D to disengage the electrodes from the work supported therebetween.

The :control unit G iis shown 'in Figures 1 and 3 to 9., inclusive, as comprising a compact lcasting 34 fashioned to house the control plungers and the Eswitch W. Upon reference to Figure 3, it wiil be noted that the plunger cylinder N is formed by 'two :axially spaced aligned bushings 35 4secured in a bore 35 extending .longitudinally through the casting and :closed at .opposite ends by means of the nuts 81 `and 38. The casting 3-4 is cored out between the adjacent ends of the bushings to provide a recess 39 for receiving the spring fC' having one end Iixed to the castingy in the recess, as at lill.V 1llfhe other end of the spring is operatively connected to 'the `plungers for the purpose of accelerating movement oi the plungers throughout their nal portion of travel. In other words, as the end oi the spring operatively connected tothe plungers crosses a vertical plane including the axis of the pin 40, continued movement of the plungers is effected at a relatively fast rate.

The operative connection between the spring and plungers comprises .a link lll having the zopposite 'ends respectively pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of the plungers and having the intermediate portion thereof extending between the furcations `4l" of a bifuroated arm 42. The arm '42 is pivotally connected to the casting 34 in compartment 38 for :swinging movement by :a shouldered stud 43., and the .swinging end of the 'arm yis Aconnected to the spring, as at M. It will be apparent from Figure 3 that the furcaftions oi the iever-B extend between the adjacent ends of the `plurxgers and engage the latter ends to permit movement of the plungers bythe spring C'. Inasmuch as the link 4i ,intercom nects `the adjacent ends -of the plungers, it necessarily follows that both 1of the latter `move as a unit, and I :prefer to form the plungers of two sections .instead of one in order to avoid the necessity yrof exercising extreme `accuracy in align ving :the bushings 35.

It will be readily apparent from the .several Aviews of the casting 34 in the drawings, that the latter is also fashioned to provide the accumulating chambers P and 1J', as well :as the required passages for eiecting the flow of the fluid under pressure .previously described. Inasmuch as 'the function of the above accumulating chambers and .required passages has been dened with some particularity in connection with the di agrams identified on the drawings by Figures 1l and 12, it is not believed necessary to complicate this Vdescription with a detailed definition as to the specific varrangement -of these passages in the casting 34.

The ,switch assembly W is also carried by the casting 34. Briey, the switch assembly W comprises .a of stationary contacts adapted to Ibe bridged Iby a movable contact member 5| normally urged i-n a vdirection away from .the stationary contacts by mea-ns of the spring 52. Upon reference to Figure 3, it will be noted that the bridge member 5I is sli-dably .supported in a chamber 53, and is provided with a-n enlargement 54 at the inner end thereof adapted to extend into a 'fl-uid pressure chamber 55. The uid pressure chamber I55 communicates with the fluid .pressure ysupply line through the medium of the metering valve Y, and as soon as the pressure in the chamber r55 exceeds that exerted by the spring 52., the member 5l is moved outwardly to bridge the contacts 50. The contacts 50 are arranged i-n a circuit controlling the iiow of welding current to .the electrodes, and bridging the same by the member 5l effects the weld. As herein-before stat-ed, the metering valve Y is so adjusted that the welding circuit is not closed until -the electrodes are relatively moved clamping engagement with the work.

1h order to automatically `move the ycontact member 5l in a direction away .from the stationary contacts to open the welding circuit, the chamber 53 communicates With the fluid supply line through the medium of the accumulating chamber X and the metering valve Z. The location of the metering valve Z is such as to restrict the flow of fluid under pressure into the accumulating chamber X, and the latter communicates directly with the switch .member 53 through the passage 51. The arrangement is such that when the iiuid pressure in the chamber 53 approaches the iiuid 'pressure in the chamlonerA 55, lthe bridge member 5l is moved by the spring 52 in a direction away from the stationary contacts 5lto open the circuit to the electrodes. The time interval between closing and opening of. the switch may be accurately controlled by adjusting the metering valve Z to vary the rate of ypressure rise in the accumulating chamber 56.

kfiltros, from the foroing, it will be apparent that I have vprovided a relatively simple, compact, control uni-t ycapable of automatica-ily and into successively effecting a series of welds with the minimum attention on the part of the operator. It will also be noted that my improved control unit is equipped with means for not only varying the rate at which the welds are effected, but for also varying the duration of each weld.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A control valve for repeatedly operatinga welding device, comprising a cylinder having a port intermediate the ends communicating with a supply passage for fluid under pressure and having an opposed outlet port communicating with a delivery passage, plunger means slidably supported in the cylinder for alternately opening and closing said ports upon movement in opposite directions in the cylinder, fluid pressure means for moving the plunger in opposite directions including chambers respectivelyl positioned at opposite ends of the plunger means and respectively having intake ports communieating with a source of iluid under pressure, members respectively slidably mounted in the chambers for controlling the intake ports and alternately operated by the plunger means to open the intake ports upon movement of the plunger means in directions toward said members, fluid pressure means for operating said members to close the intake ports upon movement of the plunger means in directions away from the members, and means for venting the fluid under pressure from one of the chambers while fluid under pressure is admitted to the other chamber and for venting the latter chamber while fluid under pressure is admitted to the former chamber.

2. A control valve for repeatedly operating a welding device, comprising a cylinder having a port intermediate the ends communicating with a source of fluid under pressure and having an opposed outlet port, plunger means slidably supported in the cylinder for alternately opening and closing the ports upon movement in opposite directions in the cylinder, fluid pressure means for moving the plunger in opposite directions including chambers at opposite ends of the plunger means and respectively having intake ports communicating with a source of fluid under pressure, members respectively slidably mounted in the chambers for closing the intake ports and alternately operable to open said intake ports upon movement of the plunger means in directions toward said members, fluid pressure means for operating said members to close the intake ports upon movement of the plunger means in directions away from the members, said last named means comprising accumulating chambers respectively communicating with the fluid pressure chambers at opposite ends of the members in the latter chambers, and-means for venting the lluid under pressure from one of the chambers while uid under pressure is admitted to the other chamber and for venting the latter chamber while fluid under pressure is admitted to the former chamber.

3, A control valve for repeatedly operating a welding device, comprising a cylinderr having a port intermediate the ends communicating with a source of fluid under pressure and having an opposed outlet port, plunger means slidably supported in the cylinder for alternately opening and closing said ports upon movement in opposite directions in the cylinder, iluid pressure means for moving the plunger in opposite directions, including chambers at opposite ends of the plunger means and respectively having intake ports vcommunicating with a source of iluid under pressure, means for independently metering the flow of fluid under pressure through'the intake ports, members respectively slidably mounted in the chambers for closing the intake ports and alternately operable to open the intake ports upon movement ofvthe plunger means in directions toward said members, fluid pressure means for operating said members to close the intake ports upon movement of the plunger means in directions away from the members, and means for venting the fluid under pressure from one of the chambers while fluid under pressure is admitted to the other chamber and for venting thel latter chamber while fluid under pressure is admitted to the former chamber.

4. A control valve for repeatedly operating a welding device, comprising a cylinder having a port intermediate the ends communicating with a source of fluid under pressure and having an opposed outlet port communicating With a delivery passage, plunger means slldably supported in the cylinder for alternately opening and closing said ports upon movement in opposite directions in the cylinder, fluid pressure means for moving the plunger in opposite directions, including chambers at opposite ends of the plunger means and respectively having intake ports communicating with a source of fluid under pressure, means for independently metering the flow of fluid under pressure through the intake ports, members respectively slidably mounted in the chambers for closing the intake ports and alternately operable to open the intake ports upon movement of the plunger means in directions toward said members, fluid pressure means for operating said members to close the intake ports upon movement of the plunger means in directions away from the members, said last named means comprising accumulating chambers respectively communicating with the fluid pressure chambers at opposite ends of the members, and means for venting the fluid under pressure from one of the chambers while fluid under pressure is admitted to the other chamber and for venting the latter chamber while uid under pressure is admitted to the former chamber.

5. A control valve for repeatedly operating a welding device, comprising a cylinder having an inlet port adjacent one end communicating with a supply line for fluid under pressure and having an opposed outlet port communicating with a delivery passage, the opposite end of the cylinder having an exhaust port and having an opposed outlet port connected to the delivery passage, plunger means reciprocably mounted in said cylinder between two extreme positions, said plunger means having provision in one position thereof in the cylinder to connect the'uid pressure supply line to the delivery passage and to close the exhaust port and in the other position to close the iluid pressure supply line and -to connect the delivery passage to the exhaust port, means for reciprocating the plunger means in opposite directions including pressure accumulating chambers at opposite ends of the cylinder and respectively communicating vwith the supply line through the ends of the cylinder beyond the plunger means, means operable in the first named position of the plunger means to close communication between the accumulating chamber at the exhaust end of the cylinder and the supply line to enable building up a pressure at the opposite end of thecylinder sufficient to move the plunger means to the second named position of the latter, means responsive to movement of the plunger means to the second named position to close communication between the accumulating chamber at the opposite end of the cylinder and the uid pressure supply line, means for controlling the rate of pressure rise in the accumulating chambers, and means for venting the fluid under pressure from one of the chambers while fluid under pressure is admitted to the other chamber and for venting the latter chamber while fluid under pressure is admitted to the former chamber.

6. A control valve for repeatedly operating a welding device, comprising a cylinder having an inlet port adjacent one end communicating with a supply line for iluid under pressure and having an opposed outlet port communicating with a delivery passage, the opposite end of the cylinder having an exhaust port and having an opposed outlet port connected to the delivery passage, plunger means reciprocably mounted in said cylinder between two extreme positions, said plunger means having provision for connecting the supply line to the delivery passage in one position thereof and for closing communication to the exhaust opening, said plunger also having provision in another position thereof to connect the exhaust opening to the delivery passage and to close the supply line, means for reciprocating the plunger means including accumulating chambers at opposite ends of the cylinder and respectively communicating with the fluid pressure supply line through the cylinder beyond opposite ends of the plunger means, means controlling communication between the accumulating chambers and uid pressure supply line, said controlling means being effective in the rst named` position of the plunger means to close communication from the supply line to the accumulating chamber at the exhaust end of the cylinder and to open communication between the supply line and the other accumulating chamber to provide for building up a pressure against the adjacent end of the plunger means suflicient to move the latter to the second mentioned position, means for independently controlling the rate of pressure rise in the accumulating chambers,l and means for venting the fluid under pressure from one of the chambers while fluid under pressure is admitted to the other chamber and for venting the latter chamber while fluid under pressure is admitted to the former chamber.

HENRY T. PLATZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 928,459 Kieselhorst July 20, 1909 1,153,384 Heany Sept. 14, 1915 1,920,003 Chenault July 25, 1933 2,229,829 Watson Jan. 28, 1941 2,337,019 Abplanalp Dec. 21, 1943 

